Bat tests positive for rabies in New Jersey

The Middlesex County Office of Health Services recently reported that a bat located in the Township of Piscataway, New Jersey, tested positive for rabies. The bat was located in the vicinity of River Road and Barbour place, making this the 3^rd rabid animal in Piscataway and 6^th in Middlesex County.

According to a release from Middlesex County, on August 11, 2025, a resident of Piscataway noticed there was a bat in their living room. The bat was then trapped and picked up by an animal control officer who brought it to the NJ Department of Health Laboratory for testing. Here, it was reported on August 13, 2025, that the bat was positive for rabies. There was 0 human exposure with the bat, but one animal was exposed, and the resident was notified to consult with both their physician and their cat’s veterinarian.¹

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The Middlesex County Office of Health Services is continuing to monitor the rabies cases and residents should report wild animals that are presenting with signs of unusual behavior to the Police Department. Additionally, the county is recommending residents avoid contact with wild animals and report any bites from either domestic or wild animals to their local health department and talk to their physician immediately. All families should make sure that their pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.

The county is also advising residents to follow the following guidelines to prevent rabies from being transmitted to themselves or their pet¹:

• Immediately report a bite from a wild or domestic animal to your local health department: It is also advised to wash animal bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible, plus contamination of open scratches or cuts with saliva of potentially rabid animals should be washed off immediately. Anyone bitten should also consult a physician immediately.
• Report any wild animals showing signs of unusual behavior: Signs of unusual behavior could be appearing sick, problems swallowing, moving slowly, biting at everything if excited, paralysis, acting aggressive, and more. If anyone comes across an animal acting like this, they should avoid contact and call their local animal control officer or police department.
• Be sure that family pets are up to date on vaccinations: If a family is unsure, they should consult with their veterinarian and if not vaccinated, call the local health department for free rabies clinics in the area.
• Animal-proof yards and homes: All garbage containers should have tight-fitting lids. Do not leave pet food or water outside, do not allow rainwater to collect in outdoor containers or equipment, and keep yards free of garbage and debris
• Do not feed or handle wild animals
• Avoid contact with stay with pets or animals
• Try to prevent pets from coming in contact with wild animals
• Screen off vents to attics and other areas that could be used as a shelter for bats.

Rabies can impact all warm-blooded mammals, including humans, and is found in the saliva of a rabid animal and is then transmitted by a bite or possibly by an open cut being contaminated. According to the release, NJ is enzootic for raccoon and bat variants of rabies. Bats, skunks, groundhogs, foxes, dogs, and cats represent around 95% of animals that are diagnosed with rabies in the United States.¹

Reference

1. Middlesex County Office of Health Services Rabies Update. News release. The Middlesex County Office of Health Services. August 8, 2025. Accessed August 16, 2025.https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1778/328